Rickshaws, unfit buses, irregularities worsen traffic chaos in Dhaka

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• Transport operators say declining income prevents them from repairing old buses, further worsening the public transport crisis

Following the downfall of the previous government, the streets of Dhaka have become a battleground for chaotic traffic conditions, with outdated buses, battery-operated auto-rickshaws, and parked ride-sharing bikes dominating the roads.

This situation has worsened over time, particularly with the increasing presence of rickshaws and other vehicles that cause disruptions at busy intersections.

Among the various traffic issues, rickshaws have emerged as one of the biggest headaches for both authorities and drivers of motorised vehicles. The rise of battery-powered rickshaws, once limited to side roads, now dangerously navigate main roads and even flyovers, often ignoring safety regulations.

The reckless driving of these battery-operated rickshaws is a growing concern. Drivers of motorised vehicles, particularly buses, have expressed their fear of accidents caused by rickshaws suddenly emerging on main roads from side streets.

Abdul Hannan, a driver for Swadin Paribahan, shared his frustration: "Sometimes, without any signal, rickshaws suddenly appear on the main road from side streets, putting buses in a dangerous position. If there's even a slight touch, rickshaw pullers and their passengers often come to beat us, making it even more difficult to drive."

Additionally, rickshaws and ride-sharing bikes are frequently parked on roads, blocking traffic flow and worsening congestion at intersections.

Private car driver Md Khalil voiced similar concerns, stating that rickshaws and bikes occupying half the road often lead to severe traffic jams, further hindering vehicle movement.

In response to mounting concerns, the government has introduced new guidelines to regulate rickshaws, aiming to bring order to the chaotic traffic situation.

Regarding this, Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan explained, "According to our decision, rickshaws must be registered to operate within the capital. They will be permitted to operate only on feeder roads within their designated areas, in line with the newly formulated rickshaw guidelines. A committee is working to determine the permissible number of rickshaws in each area, and the city corporation will oversee the registration process."

He added, "Law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the city corporation and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), will work together to enforce these regulations."

Another critical issue facing Dhaka's public transport system is the prevalence of old, unfit buses. These dilapidated vehicles not only damage the environment but also subject passengers to discomfort and safety hazards.

Tania Akter, a passenger on a bus from Gabtoli to Press Club, shared her experience: "The window next to my seat was broken. The cold wind, combined with the dust, made my journey unbearable, with dust entering my eyes multiple times."

Bus drivers are equally frustrated with the condition of the vehicles they are forced to operate.

Asad, a driver of the Gabtoli to Sadarghat bound 8-number bus, explained, "We have no choice but to drive these broken buses because the owners refuse to repair them, despite our repeated requests."

Azmir, a staff member at Balaka Paribahan, spoke of the financial struggles faced by transport companies, saying, "Income from transport has dropped drastically, and we can't afford repairs."

In addition to the unfit buses, many drivers fail to follow basic rules. Despite having designated bus stops, buses often stop in the middle of the road, further contributing to traffic chaos.

Drivers openly admit that they bypass designated stops to gain a competitive edge.

A driver for Ayat Paribahan, Anwar Ali, explained, "We stop buses wherever we can to attract more passengers. Our income depends on it. If we had a fixed salary, we wouldn't need to compete like this."

To address the issue of unfit buses, BRTA Chairman Mohammed Yasin has announced a strict operation starting in May to remove vehicles without proper fitness certification.

He emphasised that any vehicle whose fitness certificate has expired will be considered unfit and removed from the roads.

"Unfit vehicles will be dumped," he added.

Foisal Ahmed. Sketch: TBS

Meanwhile, in an effort to alleviate the ongoing public transport crisis in the capital, the government plans to launch the Nagar Paribahan service in February.

According to Neelima Akhter, Executive Director of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), "All the problems will be resolved once we launch Nagar Paribahan. The service is scheduled to launch on February 25th and will bring order to the capital's public transport system by providing a more disciplined and efficient service."